Neutron Decay

yellowputty

Could someone please explain to me why stationary neutrons may radioactively decay but protons may not?

Thank you in advance :)

clem

The proton is lighter than the neutron and all other baryons.
It could only decay into a lighter baryon, but there are none.
Some speculative theories predict proton decay with a lifetime of the order of the age of the universe, but proton decay has not been observed even at that level.

yellowputty

Quote by clem

The proton is lighter than the neutron and all other baryons.
It could only decay into a lighter baryon, but there are none.
Some speculative theories predict proton decay with a lifetime of the order of the age of the universe, but proton decay has not been observed even at that level.

Thank you :)

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yellowputty	Neutron Decay Tweet Could someone please explain to me why stationary neutrons may radioactively decay but protons may not? Thank you in advance :)

clem Recognitions: Science Advisor	The proton is lighter than the neutron and all other baryons. It could only decay into a lighter baryon, but there are none. Some speculative theories predict proton decay with a lifetime of the order of the age of the universe, but proton decay has not been observed even at that level.